davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24
ON THE ~RAPPAIIANN0CK.
CHRISTMAS DAY. 1869.

laHHH "a lCo ~ ~
BY John r. Paxton, Private, Company G, 14Oth
Pennsyiyanta Volunteers.
There was my old conrade, Sergt. Nelson,
who had gathered somewhat of evil in the
army, whose Christian virtues were not
highly polished, and who, on occasion,
dropped into profanity as Wegg did into
poetry. Now l wonder which Nelson God
will keep, and which Nelson he will throw
away-the rough soldier, or the man at Cold
Harbor who said, boys, do you hear Bebout
and Stone calling our names and begging for
water?' We left them at the foot of the hill
wounded that afternoon when we charged
and were repulscd. aBoys, its mighty
risky. There is no truce Tonight, and them
rebs shoot about as fine by starlight as by
day. But I'm going out to them. You see,
if you and l were lying over there with a hole
through us and we called for water and no
one come, though you heard us, we would
curse you all. Who will go with mea' 81,
sergeant" "Afd IT, They went, and two
of them were killed. / wonder which Nelson
God will keep, which throw away-the Nell
son who was no saint, or the Nelson who
died for man, like Jesus Christ?
/ wonder which man is me and. which will
come to the front and be on top at judgment:
this me in the study here, with an open Bible
befoze him, who fatty contradicts the other
me, who shiyered with cold on the Kappa
hammock twenty-five years age.
1t is such a funny world! You and / load
our friends down with our aches and misfor-
tunes and troubles, but when a rich old uncle
dies and leaves us half a million, we do not
load that On them. Oh, n But here am ]
preaching, 50 strong is habit Yet which is
me-this gentle, meek, apologize Clergyman,
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24
IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.

+ANeHH eHGtT al-s ----~ ---- 5Aaa HnF
How Christmas Day is Celebrated in
Those states.
Christmas day is not only the most widely
and universally Observed holiday in the
Christian calendar, but it is also susceptible
of a greater variety of observance than per-
haps any other holiday. SAINT Claus and
the Christmas tree are known and loved of
all children In Kentucky and other south
.ern states the day is ushered in with a gun
powder accompaniment, In the north the
Fourth of July is made horrible by the boom
ing of canno and the rattle of iirecrackers.
In the south these are reserved for Christ
mas morning. Among the country and vii
lage population Christmas is the occasion of
u general turnout in fields and woods with
guns and dogs. On that day of all days do
the rabbits, squirrels and quail find them
selves pursued by about every man and hoy,
both white and coIored, who owns or can
borrow am old shotgun, b:underbuss or shoot
ing iron of any kind, and the fields and
woods rescund from morn till night with the
echoes Of exploding gunpowder as the hunt
ers stalk up the hapless game. The dogs
lend their quota to the days noise and x
element, baying on the trail of frightened
foxes and rabbits.
In Tennessee the wise mel who made the
laws in the early days of the states existence
recognized the merit of workmanship, and
to encourage this accomplishment enacted d
law exempting wagers on craftsmanship
from the general penalties against other
species of gambling. So that the men of a
village or farm community may congregate
and put up money, q quarter of beef or a
turkey, as the prize to be carried off by the
best shot. The target is often the top of a
paper cap box about as large in diameter as
a silver quarter, and the distance ranges
from twenty-five to 100 steps. The guns
used are long single barrel muzzle loading
rifles. If the match is to be shot off hand
asssting the gun against the shoulder with
out a rest the distances iae;a@gfss
than twenty-five PAGES, and even at that dis
Etance the bullets are often buached from a
dozen rifles into a space which can be covered
with a silver dollar.
These rifle shooting matches are now
largely reserved for the Christmas day, and
are looked forward to all the year round. On
these occasions all the young men who boast
of their ability to s'cut the bulls eye three
times out of fiyea gather to banter and AXE
~th;1conceit out of such as think themselves
crack shots.
Christmas night is largely given up to
Stiddlin' and dsnciri y in the homes Of the
hospitable ~backwoods %southrons, and even in
the towns and villages it is a very common
custom to nave a dance on Christmas night.
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24
CHRISTMAS IN oLDEN TIME.

Heap on more wood, the wind is chill;
But let it whistle as 1t will;
Well keep our Christmas merry still.
And well our Christian sires of old
Loved, when the year its course had rolled,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all its hospitable train.
Domestic and religious rite
Gave honor to the holy night.
On Christmas Eve the bells were rung;
On Christmas Eve the mass was sung;
That only night in all the year
Saw the stoled priest the chaiice rear.
The damsel donned her kirtle sheen;
The hall was dressed with holly green;
Forth to the wood did merry men goa
To gather in the mistletoe.
hen opened wide the baron's hall
To vassal, tenant, serf and all:
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And Ceremony dotted bis pride;
The heir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose;
The lord u~nderogating share
The vulgar game of post and pair"
AL hail with uncontrolled delight
And general voice the happy night
That TO the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.
Sir Walter Scott.
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24
cease, let wrath be forgotten, let quarrels be

cease, let wrath be forgotten, let quarrels be
reconciled.
Let charity dispense bounty. Let the rich
man love the poor. Let the lap of childhood
be filed with plenty. Let all Rappahan-
nocks of arrangement, separation, bitter
ness, unequal lots, opposing interests, be
bridged by ihe Babe of Bethlehem on Christ
mas Day OF ~. And ''be We kind one to an
other, tender hearted, forgiving one another
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven
you.n There, / am preaching again, in q
secular journal of civilization. Yet ] can't
help it. This Christ born me has thrown off
and left behind the other me, the old me,
who followed Grant and Hancock to Rich
mond in the wild, mad days of turbulent
youth. 1 nave taken of that faded blue
jacket, and can stretch my arms / have I'M
buckled that worn belt, and can breathe
freely. Come, jacket; come, sword-hang
again on the wall. You are my old me; but
the present, real me is a man of peace and
acquainted with grief; not SO happy as a
saint as he was as a soldier, but still trying
to do his work, since God didn't send for him
ut Gettysburg. -Harper's Weekly.
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24

The saow was falling in great soft flakes
md lay thick upon the pavement, and she
INT before the wind as she made what haste.
ms COULD A she walked along she wondered
6or d moment at the holiday aspect of tho
street, and tAen she suddenly remembered,
4Sith L great paBg, that it was Christmas
five, and Two sudden tears rolled from her
egosa nd triclled slowly down her cold cheeks.
Everybody she tnett, even In that poor loca-
&2inals seemed b. have sonething intheir hands
TOY. cheap and tawdry, it IL true, but still
Hnngshiiag to hsing Joy to = child's heartr-but
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24
c~ttRIsTMAs CAROL.

There's q story oilen, golden,
Laden with the sweetest peace,
OF 4 stTsiiager il, u mnaiger,
Gouchesi on antulnn's rich increase,
ROBBED not IN sable, Tor stable,
With til r1ltc and dtisL clal walls,
Forn.ed q shelter where did swelter
C:stss in tlseir sti.ed stalls.
Then from heavens azure IiyeD,
BllNed a star of radiaJ,ce bright;
Glorious, victorious,
II p;iied the other stars of night,
Then " glinirnered, cleaned and shimmered,
DER the tewn Of Berhlehem;
And brighter nearer, richer, clearer,
Burned the star of glory then.
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24

Above tho stables pointed gables
Did!that star OF heaven stand;
While adorifg, wealth o%iltpourine,
Kueirtac. men from j dstf's land.
Softly saying, mid tlssil praying,
While ther eyes WITH tears were dim,
From Altar weavess seem hisstafs,
And have come 10 worship him
Then came wineing, sweetly singing,
Hosts on'hests of %cheruhim, y
:.(iioiys glogy, hear the story
Peace on earth,good Willie men,nn
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24
First National Bank
UNITED srArEs pEPgs,TOay

Correspondents: Chemical National Bank.
New York. Commercial EationaI Bank, Chi
eago, Illinois.
aE-Gen MxchAnge ON all the principal cities
OF Europe. ~" 0ollsossoas receive prompt
s1sention.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
Gallant Girls.

The women's colleges show a gallantry, II
it can be put in that way, which the long-es-
tabliShed universities of close communion
have somehow left out. Wellesley and Vas
sar and the rest have been toasting their
"fathers-in- law" and "sons-in-law" in a very
pretty fashion. Grave judges and reverend
ministers, wise lawyers and live journalists
have chance to pose picturesquely at the
dinners at the women's colleges as fathers or
husbands of these fair graduates who are no
longer specified as having golden locks 1t
isn't quite fair for the girls TO take the double
glory i'll this way. What shall be done with
ingenious and ingenious presidents and fac
uities who carry Off all the honors of the
higher education for women in this countryl
What shall be said to them for daring to add
TO all their fun and honor the dignity and
jollity of Harvard, and Yale, and Princeton
NJ. As of long standing as fathers-in- law
and sons in-law prilned with good old we'll
favored after-dinner speecheSi 1t is an I'M
fair advantage for the girS to take when
the custom of countless decades forbids the
return of the compliment in university toasts
TO dAughterS-in-law or motherS-in-law.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
AN EASY LIFE.

Too many persons have happy-go
lucky way of looking at life. If they desire
anything they procure it without the
slightest regard to the expedency of the
purchase or the state of their cxchequer.
If the thing is wanted it must be had,
something must be curtailed later on TO
make up for the money when it could Ill
he spared The tower is built before the
cost is counted, and the end is bitterness of
spirit and distress Of mind. There is no
way of living within a moderate income
except by rigid account keeping. Some
one says: OH What is the use of both
eriEg about accounts? No right-minded
person of moderate means would buy
things for which she cannot pay, nor would
her housekeeping cost more than she can
afford" Granted, in some special cases;
but the great majority are not careful to
spend penny less than their income.
An account book c0nscicntiOuSly kept is
u bulwark of strength, showing, as it does,
every article needed for the proper main
tenance of the family, with the cost
thereof. Young persons contemplating
housekeeping should appOrtion their in
come and live strictly within the limits Of
the amount set apart for each subdivision
of domestic expenditure. This is the
only safe rule, and it should never be vio-
lated. Peace, if not happiness, will be
secured by its observance 1t is very GER
tain that unless the outgo be carefully
watched it will exceed the income. But
if the income be not adequate to the
means of refined taste, how can one
live within it?" The answer to this is
very simple: Practice self-denial and
learn to manage. The family, if unable
to bring up the income to its require
ments, must live down to the facts OF the
ccse. Persons brought up in luxury and
with tastes of the utmost refinement are
very frequently compelled by reverses to
change their mode of living from attlu-
ence to comparative poverty. Although
obliged to. perform mental offices, to live
in humble houses, they never give up the
thousand and one graces that cost nothing
and go so far to beautify life Their
meals, though plain, are daintily served,
and their simple toilets are tastetully made
and becoming.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
A artlinr Prediction.

The Cinci- att Commercial Gazette Is re-
spOnsible for the following: Two hundred
years ago i'll China there was just such a
craze about natural gas as we have in this
country to-day. Gas wells were sunk with
as much vim and vigOr as the Ce'eStials were
capable of, but owing to gas explosion that
killed several millions of people and tore up
and destroyed large district of country,
leaving large inland sea, known on the
maps as Lake Foo Chang, the boring of any
more gas wells was then and there prohibit
ed by law. 1t seems, according to the
Chinese history, that many large and
heavy pressure gas wells were struck and in
some districts wells were sunk quite near to
each other. Gas was lighted as soon as
struck, as is done in this country. 1t
is stated that one well with its unusual pres
sure, by induction or back draught, pulled
down into the earth the burning gas Of
smaller well, resulting in dreadful explo-
sion of a large district, destroying the in
habltants thereof. Lake Foo Chang rests on
this district. The same catastrophe is immi-
nent i'll this country unless the laws restrict
further development in boring so many wells.
Should a similar explosion occur there will
be such an upheaval as will dwarf the most
terrible earthquake ever known. The coun-
try along the gas belt from Toledo through
Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky will be ripped
up to the depth of 200 to 800 feet and
Hoped over like pancake, leaving a chasm
through which Lake Erie will come bowling
down, filling the Ohio and Mississippi valleys
and blotting them out forever
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
Found With a Div;oIng Rod.

Ore of the most recen, triumphs Of the
divining rod in Britain has been at the Avon
mouth docks The company owning the
docks having received al intimation that an
American company proposed establishing a
sugar factory near the docks provided a good
water-supply could be secured, q certain Mr..
Lawrence, who has the re- u;ation Of consid-
cradle success as a water-f:Aier, was engaged
to examine the neiE.borinS ground. In this
case the rod emplrrcl was piece OF spring
steel, which wa -l- 70 the shape OF horse
shoe as the scarce, holding his elbows close
to his sides, bcgan - walk slowly over the
field. After awhile the steel became 50 vio-
lently agiteted and twisted itself with such
force that one OF Mr.. Lawrence's fingers was
cut He directed the company to commence
boring at the point thus indicated by the
shedding of his blood, aEi the work was ac-
cordingly commenced At the depth Of l07
feet water was struck and has since flowed AZ
The rate Of 1000 gallons pr hour.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26

aid like to get position as umpire" said
q sad-faced man with a meek and humble
air, to the secretary OF baseball league.
"Would, ehl Know anything about base
bau2'
"Yes. am thoroughly conversant with
all the rules and regulations"
"GOt a cool head and good judgmentT
dyes"
"Think you could stand the lawful abuse
that would be showered Oh you by the
players and the grand stand without losing
your temper! Think you could take the
blame for the home club losing the game
when it never made hit and the opponents
piled up twenty runsa Do you
think you could stand this jeering and roast
mgr
"Stand IT. heavens. man, it would
be paradise to what I've been getting"
"What'S your businessi"
"rm proof-reader on daily paper"
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
Beaten at His Own Game.

Recently a young physician of the Har-
ward medical school conceived the idea OF
playing joke on Miss Annie Copeland,
one Of the lady students of the College Of
Physicians and Surgeons, and at the same
time rubbing out an old score he had laid
up against her. His plans were carefully
mapped out, and, everything being in
readiness, the lady was called upon to at
lend case Of fracture of the leg. Some
what astoniShed. she promptly answered
the summons of suffering humanity, conf
dent in her ability to sustain the dignity Of
the profession she had adopted. On arriv-
ing at the residence indicated, she was sur
prised to find her patient to be man
about 40 years old, apparently suffering
the most excruCiating pains. Moving the
covering. she discovered the fracture to be
that of wooden leg. Nothing daunted,
and without showing any evidence of her
discovery, she quietly replaced the cover
ing, said she must go for some splints and
bandage5, and would return Immediately.
She did so, bringing with her some small
pieces Of brass and brads, with which she
1t once proceeded TO repair the fractured
limb. The surgical operation was per-
formed in a remarkably short space of
time, and the injury left to the healing pro-
cess of Nature. She quietly gave the ne
ceSsary directions, informed the man that
he would be all right in day or two, and
that her bill was $25. 1t is scarcely neces-
ssry to say that the fee was not fOrthcom-
Ing. the matter being treated as a good Joke.
Next morning, however, Miss Copeland
appeared on the scene with q constable,
and. much to the chagrin Of the son of ES-
culapius, collected her fee.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
4 Healthy Stomach

is a blessing for which thousands CT cur dys.
peptjc counrymen and women sigh in vain,
and to obtain which swallow much medicine
uuavaiingly. For no ailment-Irobahly-
are there so many alleged remedies as for
dyspepsia. The man of humbug is constant.
~ elutted with the dollars and dimes of
those who resort to one nos'rum after anoth-
er in The vain tope Of Obtaining relief, at
least, from rhi3 vexatious and obstinate NAL
ady. Experience indicates Hostetter's
Stomach Biute}s as means of eradicating
dyspepsia, in which a firm reliance eau be
paced. No remedy has in three decades
and ever established such reputation, none
has received such unqualified professional
sanction. 1t is an admirable invigorapt, be-
cause it enrichas the blood, and not only this,
but it thoroughly regulates the bowels, kid
Deys and bladder. The nervous symptoms
are usually relieved by the medicine.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26

The wisdom Of the Old World decided
long ago that every boy and girl should
have trade. 1t has long been the custom
for the Princes of Germany to learn trades
The Bourbon Princes Of France all ac-
quired trades. Some of them were print
erS, bookbnders, shipwrightS, house car
penters, joiners and painters; they did not
follow these vacations, but they under
stood them. Royal and princcly ladies in
Germany and France understand every
function of housekeeping, and know how
to perform it. They can go to the dairy
and stable and handle milk or a COW and
a horse with dextcrity and satisfaction
The Prince of Wales is a bookbinder, each
of his brothers has q trade. and his sons
are now learning trades according to their
tastes. All the ladies Of the English royal
household arc accomplished in practical
things; they know how to do useful
things. even il they are never called upon
TO perform them. The mawkishnesS or
sentimentality which encourages girls not
TO learn TO do useful, practical and
strengthening labor is q debasement of
the nOblest impulses Of nature When
such an inculcation is encouraged il tends
20 deprive girls especially from devOlving
their mental and physical forces. to encr-
vate them and impair functions which,
if properly trained might develop the
good and the grand in their character
Work properly performed is a tecupcr-
ator. not an exhaustcr. Of mental and
physical forces knowledge is power is
an axiom as old as truth; to know how to
do the useful is an accomplishment Of
which any girl can be proud, and espe
cially an American girl
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
THE TEMPLE OF sErPENrs.

The town of Werda, in the kingdom Of
Dahomey, is celebrated for its temple OF
serpentS, long building in which the
priests keep upward Of thousand scrpcnts
OF all sizes which they feed VIII the birds
and frogs brought 10 them rs offerings by
the natives. says a correspondent These
serpcnts, many of them OF enormous size,
may be seen hanging from the beams across
the ceiling. with their head downward
and in all sorts of strange contortions.
The priests make the small scrpcntS go
through various evolutions Lv touching
them with rod, but they do moi venture
10 touch the largest ones. some of which
are big enough to eufOld a bullock in their
coils. 1t often happens that some Of these
SeTpents make their way out OF the temple
into the town, anu the priest, have the
greatest difficulty in coaxing them back.
To kill q serpent Intentionally Is a crime
punished with death and if an European
were TO kill one the aG,hority of the king
himself would scarcely suffice 10 save his
life. Anyone killing serpent uninteu-
tionally must inform :he priest 81 what has
occurred and 90 through course Of puri-
ncauon, which !aAcs place once i year.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
Presses For sale CheaD.

Taylor, regular, drum cylinder, bed S6x52
2 rollers, air springs, rack and screw and
table distribution, 81, 100.
Potter, regular drum cylinder, bed 36x62
rollers, rack and screw and table distribu
ton. tape delivery, springs under the bed,
1900.
Campbell triples trip, complete Old
Country, S6x4S bed, 4 rollers, table distribu.
ton, wire springs, $500.
Two revolution Campbell, extra heavy,
job and news, two rollers, 37x52 bed, front
delivery, $1,000.
Hoe, drum cylinder, 273xSS3 bed, 2 rul
lers, cylinder distri bution. wire springs /
base, $500.
Cottrell & Babcock. extra heavy, drum
cylinder, rack and screw and table distribu.
ton, wire springs, with base. 28x44 bed,
three rollers, 81 900.
Address,
WESTERN PuBLIsHHRs' UN1on,
120 & 1872 East Front St.,
Davenport. Iowa.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
THE PASSION.

A youth, light-hearted, rollicking and bold.
sailed upon the sea;
And, in a California. gathered gold.
And Afric ivOrie.
While Arab-like, ashore. I pitched my tent,
Which scarcely pitched, was furled;
NV dreams were mine, and, easily content,
Was monarch of world
All, mel ah, me! wild flower saw, and now,
pine and NOPE alone;
The sails unstretched, and, mOtiOnless the prov
CheyS no master tone.
FREDERIC LUCIA SQUIERs.
Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26

curCs nausea, veg ness Of stomach, fndI-
CO. t,oa, blo3tiTg end erHetatIons ~ gas.
AS GooGtiu~ and strengthening
EfrEIEcs Z ave re pre66 rirti0n " - I'M
HIi.2 81 asd 5 3ayCiC1L'e ~ q. laying and
@utGA4rS nervous cx+. = 10y. irrttabiiity.
"x+-L t.C1, prostfc'i hysteria. Gp2snis
IN G.. n d4sirtssLg. nervous symptoms
c1... - My attendant upon functfon1I and
trt~'~ g dscr e Of the womb. 1t induces
f'ife-a,3g t'cep and relieves mental eng
civ ald desTs nd nc.
a. tier,t'n FaVorIte Prescription
- a IeT-t mae medicine, carefully
CT m 'n-ed - en- experienced end Ekillfnl
PAS , 81 tapted - Eonans celicafe
'.-l4 q. AZ - ,s1Fc.y vegetable ia Il I
, ~ RI Frri- s. i,lImleSs in :
80 my .1diti,4-s o tie svsffn.
We P'ica" y n posi-.
~ - go I '-2-nr'' q -esl nnd
.Igse { { nc = 81. G "wk.te~,"
- I've : NE ~ AtC Ithly y Ttotls pain
q TT -~tTuFtnn. Il -A.urI hlpLrrss.8ns
pno as o. lil,'ng - the womb. wax
~ =. fcTnale yTcaknsSs." .Yn.evcrsbon. re-
loT'rS.ou, bar. 1g-dowu s.-nsatious. chron-
C congestion. inflammation Rnd liberation
~ the wof b. Inflammation. TAin and ten
af-rness In ovaries. accompanied with In
ternAl heaf'